Artists Selected to Showcase at NERFA Mini-Conference, April 30

The following artists have been selected to perform short showcases during the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) One-Day Mini-Conference at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, Massachusetts (home of the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse) on Saturday, April 30: Burning Bridget Cleary, Michelle Cruz, Jason Myles Goss, Brendan Hogan, Occidental Gypsy, Amy Petty, Radio Caroline, Hayley Reardon, Roy Schneider, and the Putnam Smith Trio. [To read the complete article, click on the headline.]

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NERFA Hosts a Mini-Conference in Franklin, MA on April 30, 2011

The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) hosts a special one-day mini-conference on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, MA (home of the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse). [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Oscar Brand Inducted Into Long Island Music Hall of Fame

Folksinger, songwriter, author and musicologist Oscar Brand has been inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Brand, 90, who has written more than 300 songs (ranging from bawdy ballads to songs of social commentary), recorded some 100 albums, serves as curator of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and hosts what is now the oldest continuous radio show in history (Folksong Festival on New York’s WNYC), was among the third class of inductees honored during a gala event, Nov. 16, at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Cheryl Prashker Re-elected President of NERFA Board of Directors

The board of directors of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) elected a slate of officers for the forthcoming year during the organization’s annual conference at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York, Nov. 11-14. Cheryl Prashker and Michael Kornfeld were re-elected as president and vice president, respectively, while Dianne Tankle was elected treasurer. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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RUNA Wins a Bevy of Montgomery Bucks Music Awards

RUNA, a Celtic vocal and instrumental ensemble from the Philadelphia area, was the top winner in the 2010 Montgomery Bucks Music Awards held Nov. 8 at the Triumph Brewing Company in New Hope, Pennsylvania. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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NERFA Conference Set for Nov. 11-14, 2010, in Upstate NY; AcousticMusicScene.com to Again Have a Major Presence

More than 700 performers, presenters, promoters, agents and managers, folk music societies and clubs, and others actively engaged in traditional and contemporary folk music will converge on the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York, Nov. 11-14, 2010, for the16th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference. AcousticMusicScene.com will have a major presence as it hosts afternoon and late-night song swaps, a CD release party and wine tasting, its popular Midnight Hoot and a new Midday Hoot. [To view the entire article and a printable flyer with the AcousticMusicScene.com showcase schedule, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingNERFA Conference Set for Nov. 11-14, 2010, in Upstate NY; AcousticMusicScene.com to Again Have a Major Presence

Application Deadlines Near for NERFA Conference Showcases

Artists interested in applying for formal and/or tricentric showcases during the 16th annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference have until Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, respectively, to do so. The annual conference, which drew nearly 700 people last year, is slated for Nov. 11-14 at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY. [To view the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Songwriter Marketing Tips: Writing a Great Bio

Why is writing a good bio so important for singer-songwriters? What are the biggest challenges of writing one, especially if you’re writing it about yourself? What are the qualities of a really good bio? What are the different ways you can use them in publicity and in marketing yourself? AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, a communications and PR strategist, recently responded to these and other questions posed to him by singer-songwriter Sharon Goldman for Songwriting Scene, a blog for songwriters about songwriting. That interview is re-posted here with permission. [To read the article, click on the headline.]

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AcousticMusicScene.com Editor Speaks at SS Cape May, March 26

AcousticMusicScene.com’s Michael Kornfeld, who also is a communications and public relations strategist, will be among the panelists discussing “Music Marketing, Publicity & Press: The New Media Revolution” during the third annual Singer-Songwriter Cape May. The music business conference is set for Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, in the historic Victorian-lined New Jersey seaside resort community. SS Cape May will feature two afternoons of music business keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, mentoring and demo-listening sessions, exhibits and performance critiques at Congress Hall and Harrison Conference Center, as well as two evenings of artist showcases at various venues. Singer-songwriters Steve Forbert and Nicole Atkins present musical keynotes on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Attendees also will have plenty of opportunities for networking with other singer-songwriters, musicians and music industry professionals. [To read a short article previewing the conference, click on the headline.]

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A Quick Q & A with Kelleigh McKenzie

In less than two years' time, Kelleigh McKenzie has made quite a mark in acoustic music circles. A talented singer-songwriter who alternately accompanies herself on banjo, guitar and amplified stompbox, McKenzie has appeared on "Mountain Stage" and the "WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour," was a co-winner in the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, secured a coveted formal showcase slot at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, and was selected to participate in emerging artists showcases at both the Falcon Ridge and Grey Fox festivals. Her debut album, Chances, was on the Americana Music Chart for six months, while "Gin," one of the tracks on it, won an Independent Music Award for Best Americana Song. Kathy Sands-Boehmer recently posed a few questions to Kelleigh. [To read Kathy's Q & A with Kelleigh McKenzie, click on the headline.]

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Cheryl Prashker Leads NERFA Board of Directors

The board of directors of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) elected a new slate of officers while meeting during the organization’s recent annual conference at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York. Cheryl Prashker, a percussionist with the Celtic group RUNA, who also has performed with such artists as Pat Wictor, Jonathan Edwards, Full Frontal Folk and CC Railroad, was elected president. AcousticMusicScene.com's Michael Kornfeld, a communications & public relations strategist, is the organization’s new vice president. Ramona LaBarre, who is affiliated with Godfrey Daniels and the Celtic Cultural Alliance in Bethlehem, PA, is the new treasurer. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference Set for Nov. 12-15; AcousticMusicScene.com to Have a Major Presence

More than 600 people have registered for the annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference, November 12-15, at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York. Performers, presenters, promoters, folk DJs, agents and managers, and others actively engaged in the folk and acoustic music scene will enjoy three jam-packed days and nights of music showcases, open mics, song swaps and informal jam sessions; informative panel discussions and workshops; a large trade show-like exhibit hall; communal meals, and lots of informal conversation and networking. AcousticMusicScene.com will host its popular annual Midnight Hoot on Thursday overnight, late-night guerilla showcases on Friday and Saturday, and a special Saturday afternoon Long Island Sound Showcase and Wine Tasting. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

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